Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10599
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Fire drill in St Petersburg
Date
ca. 1825
Creator
Paul Gauci (British) , Artist
Object type
Library reference
44752
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 210mm
width (print): 125mm
width (print): 125mm
Subject
Description
Scene showing Russian firemen jumping from high ladders to be caught in a canvas break.
Inscribed below: ‘delt. by Gauci Junr.. Printed by N.Chater & Co. 33 Fleet St. Vol.1 Page 123.’
Plate 2 from Travels through Russia, Siberia, Poland...by James Holman vol.1 (London, 1825).
The accompanying text describes the scene: “In order to make the firemen more expert in their assistance to the unfortunate inmates of the burning house, they are regularly trained in a very singular exercise. A lofty pole, with a platform near its top, is erected...and ascended by means of ladders...they are required to precipitate themselves from the platform; every precaution however, being taken to prevent injury, as by placing a sail-cloth suspended by poles, with feather-beds, hat, straw, and soft substances under it.”
James Holman, known to his contemporaries as ‘The Blind Traveller’, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Inscribed below: ‘delt. by Gauci Junr.. Printed by N.Chater & Co. 33 Fleet St. Vol.1 Page 123.’
Plate 2 from Travels through Russia, Siberia, Poland...by James Holman vol.1 (London, 1825).
The accompanying text describes the scene: “In order to make the firemen more expert in their assistance to the unfortunate inmates of the burning house, they are regularly trained in a very singular exercise. A lofty pole, with a platform near its top, is erected...and ascended by means of ladders...they are required to precipitate themselves from the platform; every precaution however, being taken to prevent injury, as by placing a sail-cloth suspended by poles, with feather-beds, hat, straw, and soft substances under it.”
James Holman, known to his contemporaries as ‘The Blind Traveller’, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Associated place